Lawn bowling is one of the easiest sports to learn to play. For that reason, many people feel it is not a challenge. But nothing could be further from the truth! Lawn bowling is also one of the hardest sports to master - regardless of your age - and many top athletes have left the greens feeling humbled.
If you decide to accept the challenge, you will find that bowls increases your eye-hand coordination, strengthens your legs, back, and arms, and helps with your focus and concentration. It is an excellent sport for young people as well as adults, teaching coordination and mental focus.
Even more important than the physical aspects of the game, however, are the sportsmanship and camaraderie you will enjoy if you decide to take up bowls. A wide range of people from all walks of life can be found on the green. It is truly an eclectic and fun-loving bunch of people, and we are always delighted to welcome new bowlers.
Lawn Bowling Lessons
As mentioned above, learning to bowl is relatively easy, but you will need to take some lessons. Among the things you will learn will be the rules of the game, vocabulary that is unique to bowls, the proper way to hold and deliver your bowls, and the etiquette that governs behavior on the greens. None of it is difficult, and you will be ready to join a club game after a few lessons.
Costs
Lawn bowling is one of the best deals in terms of money in town. Your first two lessons are FREE and the cost of subsequent lessons ($5.00 per lesson for an hour of instruction) is applied to your yearly membership if you decide to join. Yearly dues are also very reasonable: $75 for green fees (care of the greens) and $40 for membership. Compare that to the cost of even a single game of golf!
Scheduling Lessons
To schedule individual lessons, or lessons for your group (children 10 and older are welcome), please give one of our instructors below a call. We will do our best to accomodate your schedule.
LAWN BOWLING EQUIPMENT
The Bowls
Lawn bowl is played with four balls or bowls. There are four bowls in a set. Each set is unique and has its own special symbol etched in the center circle on both sides.
Much like alley bowling, bowlers roll their bowls towards a goal. In this case, the goal is a small white ball the size of a billiard ball known as the "Jack."
The object of the game is to get as close to the Jack as possible. The challenge comes from the fact that the bowls are not round and are therefore biased. This means they will curve as they roll, forcing the bowler to roll his/her bowl outward at an angle to reach the Jack.
The Jack
The object of the game is to get your bowls as close to a small white ball as possible. This white ball is the size of a billiard ball and is known as the jack. It is rolled out onto the playing field where it becomes the target for the game. The object is to roll your bowls as close to it as possible. It is perfectly acceptable to hit and move the Jack with your bowls, so this little white ball gets a lot of attention.
The Jack has NO bias. The person who begins the game must roll the Jack in a straight line out onto the playing field. This can be really tricky if the grass is long or wet, or the field is bumpy. Like everything else in lawn bowling it looks a lot easier than it actually is.
Measuring Tape
When more than one bowl is close to the Jack, and it is impossible to tell which is closest with the naked eye, a measuring tape is brought out.
The tape looks a lot like a regular measuring tape, but can be made of string or metal. Top-of-the-line tapes also have calipers, which allow you to measure very precisely. Occasionally things are so close that a dollar bill, inserted between the Jack and the bowls, will have to be used to determine the winner. If two or more bowls are touching the Jack directly, a tie is declared.
EQUIPMENT COST
1. Bowls: You will need a set of bowls with which to play the game. There are four bowls in a set. When you first begin, you will use club bowls until you become familiar with the size, weight, and draw (how much the bowl curves when it is rolled). Once you are certain which size, weight, and bias you like, you can think about buying a set.
New Set: A new set of bowls costs between $260 and $400 depending on the maker, color, and emblem you would like on them.
Used Set: Bowls can be used for decades, so a used set is just fine. You can get a good used set for between $40 to $100.
2. Shoes: Shoes need to be flat soled so that you don't damage the surface of the green. You do NOT have to buy special shoes that are just for lawn bowling. COST: between $40 and $100.
3. Dish Towel: Used to wipe moisture and grass off the bowls when the greens are wet. COST: $2.00
4. Suncsreen: An absolute must when bowling in the sun. COST: $8.00 to $12.00 per tube.
5. Sun visor or hat: All kinds of hats can be been on the greens including Stetsons and basaeball caps. Here's your chance to express yourself! COST: $15.00 to $100.
6. Sunglasses: Get the best you can. They're worth it. COST: $12.00 to $100 and up.
7. A Measure: These handy little devices are used to measure the distance between bowls and the jack to determine who has won. This will not be needed when you are just getting started. COST: $30 to $45.
8. Bowling Bag: To carry you bowls, sunscreen, etc. COST: $45 to $150.
9. Chalk: To mark bowls that have touched the jack. COST: $0.50. Spray chalk is also available for around $6.95 per tube.
That's about it! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call.
For General Information In English call: 626-351-5327 In Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) call: 626-6937